A FAVORITE FROM FIVE YEARS AGO
“Staring at the Sun”
from the album Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Original release date: March 9, 2004
iTunes
2004:
With only one five-song EP called Young Liars, Brooklyn-based trio TV on the Radio had instantly established themselves as a candidate to become one of the year’s premier underdog forces of 2003. Through the acclaim received from critics alone, TV on the Radio would indirectly set the stage for what may be one of this year’s most anticipated debut albums, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes. The band, led by vocalist/artist/actor/filmmaker Tunde Adebimpe, has made it abundantly clear through their songs that they will separate themselves from the other New York bands. This can actually be complicated, considering the number of great bands that have flourished in the Big Apple.
On Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, TV on the Radio has incorporated a few new artists into the mix, including Jason Sitek, guitarist Kyp Malone, bassist Gerard Smith, and Jaleel Bunton on drums (live and synthetic). Although there may be more contributors this time around, the main focus is still heavily reliant upon Adebimpe’s vibrantly rich voice (which is always accurately compared to Peter Gabriel) and the atmospheric drone of David Andrew Sitek’s “mid-fi” production.
Upon the first few seconds of “The Wrong Way,” we are bombarded by fuzz-drenched bass and jazzy horns that become comfortably acquainted with a galloping drum roll and Adebimpe’s high-pitched voice. “Staring at the Sun,“ the only recycled song from last year’s EP, continues to be one of TV on the Radio’s most affecting moments. It gets better when the sonic keyboards stand center stage in the two preceding songs, “Dreams” and “King Eternal.” The combination of the soaring keyboards with the effect-heavy guitars proves to be the bands most amazing accomplishment thus far.
Suddenly, though, we are thrown off course for what may be the most unusual direction on “Ambulance.” Vocal harmonizing in the style of range-fluctuating doo-wop singers is similar to the idea of last year’s Pixies cover for “Mister Grieves,” when the focus was strictly on vocals. The lyrics on this interlude-like song are actually quite funny, when Adebimpe sings “I will be your ambulance, if you will be my accident.” Things quickly return to order when “Poppy” begins, with the first sign of a live instrument. Desperate Youth ends on a strong note with “Wear You Out.” It’s a soulful ditty that gently unfolds into an epic finale that eventually disappears into nothing.
With the exception of a few very minor disappointments, Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes is, at the very least, as good as I’d hoped. It’s a welcomed transition from the band’s previous work. Coincidentally, that will mean more acclaim is headed their way. For anyone who found themselves begging for more than five songs, you will be happy with this new album; the distance traveled from Young Liars is not so drastic as to alienate anyone. As for those who are still unfamiliar with this new genre-bending band, keep your eyes and ears open. My guess is that you’ll be hearing a lot more from them soon.